Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Authors' Galley--Let's get cooking!



***  2/19 1:55 PM  HUGE congratulations to our book giveaway winner, AMBER G. ! ***

YOU MAY NOTICE that the look of this blog has changed. Spoons and spice and a big, grinning photo of ME in my scrubs, apron, Flintstone pearls and stethoscope. Manning my Santa red Kitchen Aid mixer. The medical fiction author in her reality kitchen, where herbs mix with metaphors all too often. Yes, I plot while I cook. And, vice versa:  readers will find that quite often I have cooking and food in the scenes of my novels. My two passions mixing like a whisk in a bowl of batter. Which leads me right back to the subject of the new look of this blog. I'm changing things up a bit. Here's what you can expect from AUTHORS' GALLEY:


  • Bi-weekly posts that incorporate (have fun with!) both COOKING and BOOKS. 
  • Glimpses into the kitchens of fellow authors--guests sharing recipes, cooking tips, recipes, memories, humor, photos, or even confessions of kitchen bloopers!
  • Snippets of books, sneak peeks at new work, and especially scenes/facts related to cooking (imagine the drama in the kitchen of Downton Abbey!)
  • Perhaps some book and cooking related giveaways
  • A give and take interaction between readers (yes, you)  and authors--we'll encourage you to "tie on the apron" and share your kitchen tidbits, too.
  • A chance to see your favorite authors (and discover new ones) in a different setting: their kitchens
When you have guests, doesn't everyone always ends up hanging out in the kitchen? It's sure that way at the Calverts. I'm hoping this blog is a place you'll do exactly that. So pull up a chair, grab an apron, and let's get started:

Today I'm sharing the recipe for the Lemon Pistachio Shortbread that had folks drooling on Facebook recently. Like many of my recipes, I found it online by searching ingredients. The search was prompted by a huge bag of Meyer lemons brought over by our next door neighbor. I served these cookies for dessert at a recent dinner party and they were a huge hit. Buttery, crisp, light, and the pistachios add  an unexpected nutty flavor that complements the tangy lemon juice and zest in the glaze topping. 




The only "fussy" part of the recipe is that shortbread crust is crumbly and you have to be a bit patient when rolling it out. But it's totally worth the effort, trust me. If you like lemon, this is your cookie. Plus, it makes your kitchen smell heavenly! Now that you're tempted, here's that recipe link:
Lemon Glazed Pistachio Shortbread. 

Because I also promised a book-related snippet, here is a teeny glimpse into Code Triage. Some of you may remember that the hero of this book is a San Francisco cop who was once a chef.  The story of a marriage in jeopardy,  this book has a continuing motif surrounding lemons. Here, hero Nick Stathos is reminded of his famous Greek lemon soup:

           
 “Avgolemono,” he said, the memories hitting him full in the heart. Their kitchen in their old Victorian fixer, always in stages of remodel; black granite counters, stainless steel, Leigh standing barefoot on the hardwood floor watching him as he cooked; teasing him about being a macho SFPD cop with a whisk in his holster. He’d offer her a sip of the creamy soup from a wooden spoon, she’d murmur with passionate approval then move into his arms, lifting her face for a kiss. Her lips would taste of lemons . . .


So there you go, that's the venue for my new blog. Talk of food. Recipe. Snippet from a book. And . . . oh yes, I mentioned the occasional giveaway, didn't I?
Let's do that.
Leave a comment below, telling me what you think of think of my new blog, Authors' Galley, and I'll add your name to a drawing for an advanced review copy of my upcoming release, RESCUE TEAM. Yes, you'll get to read it ahead of it's release!

Please leave your name and an e-mail. The winner will be chosen randomly on Tuesday, February 19th and will be notified by e-mail.

Thank you for stopping by my cyber kitchen. And stay tuned for my first guest author coming soon. Hint: Her kitchen talk will include (eek!) . . . Poison. 

Til next time, happy reading and . . . Bon appetit!


54 comments:

Cynthia said...

I love this!!
Cynthia

Lynn said...

This looks great! Best of luck.

Lynn

Harley's Mom said...

I love this new blog. It's so much fun to see authors as "real" people cooking things that they really cook.

Harley's Mom said...

Thanks for taking the time to create this blog.

CandaceCalvert said...

Thank you, Cynthia: you know I totally love your blog, The Garden Gate. Can NOT wait to see what you plant (and cook) this summer!

CandaceCalvert said...

Lynn, thanks SO much for your encouragement.

CandaceCalvert said...

Harley's Mom: Yes, I'm so totally curious about "real life" glimpses--and kitchens say a lot to me. LOL, obviously. FYI (per your username) "Harley" is a the name of a baby in RESCUE TEAM.

Julie said...

Love love love the idea! Looking forward to lots of cooking and visiting with authors. The cookies look YUMMY! I signed up to get emails :)

Julie@My Favorite Pastime
gravesok(at)sbcglobal(dot)(net)

Anonymous said...

This blog looks amazing!! I love that you post your cooking/baking things too, makes me want to go bake now!! LOVE your books, would LOVE to win your new one!!!

Amber
argrohs@hotmail.com

Mel said...

I LOVE that you are going to have some foodie posts :) Been hoping for that for a long time! :)

Judi Questel said...

The new blog looks fantastic! Will have to give that shortbread a try, the combination of lemon and pistachios is one I am familiar with so I'm sure your recipe won't disappoint. :) Kitchens really are revealing, aren't they? Both as a room and what comes out of it...

Erica Ozier said...

LOVE it. Basically love anything by you lol

deb said...

I am so excited! This will be so much fun.

Michelle Prince Morgan said...

Wow new blog looks great. Can't wait to get some good recipes. inspiremichelle@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I love this idea! Although I have to remember to not read it on break while I am working nights in emerg because my mouth is watering :) would also love to win your new book! Have a great day!
Lisa Medeiros
Deiselbuffs@yahoo.ca

KJ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shawneda said...

You are by far, one of my FAVORITE, authors of all genres hands down. So much fun and too cute.

Kathy T said...

Yay, Candy! I'm so glad you've found an outlet that combines your love for writing AND your love for healthy food and cooking. Really looking forward to reading input from you and your guest authors. I also like the *galley* in the title which obviously means kitchen but also makes me think of *gallery* as in showcase, art, books, etc. LOVE you! Happy Valentine's Day!

Trudi Hall said...

I have that SAME red Kitchenaid. My parents gave it to me about 10 years ago and I use it every day. When we built our house, I even planned a special spot for it right next to my double oven. Sometimes I walk by and kiss the top of it's shiny red head because it works so hard for me and reminds me of my parent's love.

Now, about that book...I'm a mom of 7, (8 if you count my hubby), and I NEED some inspiring fiction therapy! Take me away to your magical medical world...

lilac grandma said...

Thank you for this beautiful blog. Hoping to win your new book! Love and prayers, Melody
Msproule1225@gmail.com

MaryAnn said...

You are combining two of my favorites, books and cooking. Should be lots of fun to read.

Anonymous said...

I love your blog and books! Sue

Sue@suetuthill.com

Unknown said...

I love the blog recipes are awesome when shared. I am so happy that you used a Greek hero in this book ! I spent my younger years in Greece and it felt like home to me and it stil does. So anything Greek takes me back there ! Thank you for helping me remember those days. !

superkitty39@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I love the new blog and always love your books. and any new recipe is worth trying and taste testing says my granddaughter

Anonymous said...

Love the new blog! And can't wait to read your new book Candace! : )

Jordan Conley
jeconley@live.com

Anita said...

Thank you for sharing your recipe. They look yummy!

I am also looking forward to learning about news books!

Football Mom said...

Great Blog. Looking forward to the recipes. Don't you love the Kitchen Aid? Makes baking so much easier. Looking forward to reading your new book and try the recipe.

Football Mom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Something About the Joy said...

Looks luscious lovely lady in red! It's obviously your color!

Karen McQuade said...

Love the blog. Food for the soul and for the stomach! What could be better?

Nastassja said...

Two of my favourite loves: Food and Books :) Great idea, Candace! Have fun with it

Merry said...

I love the new look and focus for your blog. I look forward to the culinary and literary delights!
Worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

Anne Payne said...

I am SO glad you started this new blog. I was always drooling over your yummy food photos on FB and wishing for the recipes, and now here they are! Maybe my cooking skills will improve :)

Blessings ~Anne
homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Unknown said...

I too am delighted you've started this blog. I love your books. I love to cook, okay and I do love to eat, LOL. Two of my favorite passions in one location, reading and cooking, such a blessing. Thank you, Susan Fryman susanngarrylee@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

"These are a few of my favorite things...."

Cooking and Reading...love the blog.

Thanks for the chance to be entered!
Marilyn fmartin816 (at) comcast (dot) net

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to clarify that my email starts with fmartin not Marilyn :)

Unknown said...

This looks great, Candace. Excited to read more from you (and oogle over the food photos!)

-Shaina

CandaceCalvert said...

Wow, I've been paying with my two little sous chefs (grand girls ages 1 and 3) while y'all have been posting here--how fun to read your comments!
Lisa: I understand about the munchies when working ER nights--even cold pizza and leftover Easter candy (in September) sounds good!
Shawneda: you're too sweet,girlfriend.
Kathy T: "Gallery"--another cool thought. A comment on my last post suggested "galley" for the dual meaning of kitchen AND typeset manuscript. Such fun to play with words!

CandaceCalvert said...

Trudi: We have the same mixer! Confession: I pet mine sometimes too. Thank you for stopping by the new blog.
Kathy: I've been to Greece on a cruise--loved it. And (probably inspired more by John Stamos!) I loved making hero Nick Greek.
Bonnie: Taste testing, absolutely--your grand daughter is foodie herself, I can see.
Football Mom: Yes, I love my Kitchen Aid. I seriously burned up at least four handmmixers making my gingerbread dough. It's a cinch with my Santa baby!

CandaceCalvert said...

Ginny--welcome! Red is my very favorite color, for sure.
Nastassja: food and books, amen.
Anne: so nice to see you here. And, yes, it was about time I combined these two faves here.
SHAINA: LOL, I was going to send you a link and you found me first! Thanks for stopping by!

Kelli Jo said...

This is great!! Seems like it will be a lot of fun!! And Jordyn up next?! Yay!!

Kelli Jo
Kellijo23@gmail.com

Ann Street said...

I love this! Can't wait to read the next one! :)

Unknown said...

Love the blog! And the red Kitchen-Aid (mine's white). I could almost smell the lemon cookies - may have to go and look up a grain-free version! Thanks for a chance to win an advance copy of your new book - I can't wait to read it, whether early or not! :)

Wilma said...

Love your new blog and always look forward to what you are cooking almost as much as I look forward to your next book. :-)
Thanks fora chance to win it.
Wilma

Grace said...

Your new blog looks great! As does your new book! Can't wait to read it!! Thanks for the possible chance to read it in advance:)

Anonymous said...

Looks interesting, since I love to read and cook.

Hutt-Write Voice said...

Your blog looks fabulous! Thanks for the giveaway offer. Would love to win this one!

Hutt-Write Voice said...

Sorry, just can't seem to remember to leave my address:
linda[dot]maendel[at]gmail[dot]com

Kelly B said...

I love your new blog. It is great. I love your red mixer, gorgeous!! Your books are fantastic and I look forward to reading this one as well. Thank you Candace for such wonderful stories.

Jennifer said...

Your blog looks yummy! Code Triage sounds great! I loved Trauma Plan, so very good! Happy Writing!
jennydtipton(at)gmail(dot)com

CandaceCalvert said...

I'm doing this comment myself from TAMMY SIMPSON, who's having a whole lot of trouble getting her comment to post--thank you for the kind words, Tammy, and consider yourself entered in the giveaway.

Anyone else having trouble posting here?

Anonymous said...

Love your new blog, Candace, I tried to post a comment earlier, but don't see it here yet. So I'm trying again. I am so excited about reading your blog and can't wait to see what's new each time I visit. Love your books and so glad that we are connected via the internet! Happy blogging!

Sheila

CandaceCalvert said...

CONGRATULATIONS to our giveaway winner: Amber G.

Bruce Judisch said...

This looks great! A lot of fun.